Beach days and fishing...

I can't believe it's been a year - a year of discovering new things, exploring, having fun and most of all - laughing. A year ago I had a cup of coffee with a man who seemed really interesting, smart and most of all, honest and truthful. Yup. My perceptions were right on. Ron is an incredible person - and it's been an incredible year.

Here's some of our recent beach days - grilling at the beach - and fishing trips. It's been a blast. Blessed beyond measure!

 Love this last shot....so fun. So looking forward to more adventures!!! :)

Vancouver, British Columbia --- AERA!!!

The world's largest educational research meeting was held this year in Vancouver, BC. My proposal that I submitted with my colleague Olga was accepted. So...a long flight from South Texas to Vancouver -- but we made it. I LOVED it there - and had a blast....

Two entire days were spent traveling, leaving a day to 'conference' (read: do presentation so my University will pay for the trip) and day to play. Here's some day one pics:

View from hotel window of downtown Vancouver:

See that mountain behind the skyscrapers? That's Grouse Mountain. More about that later.

There are lots of gorgeous flowers and scenery - Olga and I had to walk about 8 blocks to the conference center, and enjoyed every step:

THIS is the conference center - amazing, isn't it?

The presentation went SO well - terrific in fact. Much interest in our work with Family Science! We had people come see us from New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Pennsylvania and some other places who are trying to get Family Learning Events going in their location. It was so great to see our work growing in other places!


The next day I took off and did some mountain climbing at Grouse Mountain. I did the "Grouse Grind" - a walk up the mountain that a colleague had told me about prior to leaving for Vancouver. It's quite challenging -- the steps are steep and rocky, and it can be a bit treacherous, but the scenery and the quiet --- it was an amazing trek.

When I arrived -- after all the planning and researching and taking extra clothing and energy bars and water and taxi ride...I finally arrived and found out the TRAIL WAS CLOSED!

After staring at the signs for a good 10 minutes, I was about to turn around and leave - very sad -- when out of the gate walked a guy with his POODLE. I couldn't believe it. Just walked out of that gate! He said there was a 'secret' entrance over to the side...and then said, "Would you like to come in?"...so through the gate I went. So happy to go climb a mountain :)

Sometimes there were steps like these, sometimes not. Sometimes you had to CLIMB to the next step. It wasn't easy, but the scenery was so worth the effort to keep climbing~!

 I could only go half-way as the top was still icy. I didn't have the 'chains' that are required to navigate climbing in the ice. Honestly, I was just as happy to start the descent as the whole trip took me over 3 hours and I was pretty tired at the end.The descent was actually more tiring than climbing up...who knew. (The next day I was reminded that we don't use those muscles very much :)

Next, a trip up the mountain via gondola and ziplining at the top!!!! THROUGH THE SNOW!

 Just finished the climb - this was the only bear I saw along the way :)

I love riding in gondola!

 The top of the mountain~!

 Ready for ziplining!

 Gondola view from the top

The final wood carving on the way out of Grouse Mountain. I had an awesome day, full of challenges, adventure, fun times and sore knees that followed :)  I loved Vancouver and hope to go back some day -- maybe even see a live bear!!

End of Semester = Behind in Blogging (and everything else!)

So, it's the end of another semester and a lot of work is going on and will continue. I don't know who is more excited about end of semester - faculty or students! Anyway, I have all the Family Science Events (3) we did this semester on a separate blog...you can read about them here.

Soon, I will be posting about a trip to British Columbia...and beaches. Two different worlds for sure, but equally wonderful.

Stay tuned. We're almost to the finish line....

Coming Full Circle

We (my classes and me) had our last Family Science Night at a Junior High last night. We do three Family Science Events every semester. My students plan, design and construct their projects and take them into the community where they do the teaching. It's awesome. We've won awards, I've gotten publications from data collection, and most importantly, they love doing science and see they can do science after these events. Last night, there were three of my former students teaching science in the Junior High school. I had so much fun talking to them, hearing of their experiences and how much they love (and sometimes hate) teaching. I was overwhelmed...they had us come to do Family Science for them as these students had gone into at least three schools while in my classes to do Family Science. Full circle - big time. Another former student tracked me down for a 'hallway-conference' as he is teaching full time and wanted to talk about pursuing a Master's Degree, and ultimately a PhD in science education. Another full circle.

I know a lot of my students read my blog. Read this: Hang in there. Be creative and authentic in your teaching. The fruits of our efforts often do not show themselves until several years down the road. And then, you will see the difference you are making.


P.S. I didn't know someone snapped this picture - she sent it to me today. That is me with one of my former (and best :) students. It was amazing talking to her and the others...Blessed Beyond Measure.

Easter 2012 - Beethoven's Hallelujah Chorus

It was an awesome day - the choir sang the following as well as other pieces that words just can't describe.
I love Easter. It is my favorite holiday - and the Corpus Christi Pontifical Chorale has added a whole other dimension to this celebration that fills my heart and soul.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVa24pDt6DU&sns=fb

No, not all our pieces are this big, this grandiose. But the grandiosity stands in direct juxtaposition to the Lenten hymns that precede Easter, such as this Kyrie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgAFYX9FRyw&feature=relmfu

....making the gorgeous Mass at Easter all the more beautiful and exceedingly joyful.

I love being a member of our choir.  Blessed Beyond Measure.

He Is Risen! Happy Easter!!

Proud to be a Catholic!

Last Monday, over 10,000 people gathered at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Another room (smaller auditorium) nearby held 2,000 people who overflowed. No, Lady Gaga was not in town, no dance troupe or show...no headliner that you read about in the papers everyday. This was a celebration - It was the Diocese of Corpus Christi's 100th birthday. Exactly 100 years ago, Pope Pius X, a staunch defender of the Catholic faith and liturgy, founded our Diocese. Monday night, a choir of over 150 voices sang songs in Latin and Spanish and English. 14 bishops were in attendance, over 100 priests, and 2 cardinals. It was amazing. Over 11,000 people attended Mass - that was the purpose of this gathering. To celebrate Jesus --- and our blessings. I was so profoundly proud to be a small part of the huge celebration....